Woonsocket’s Volunteer Fire Department conducted a parade to make sure everyone in the communities of Forestburg and Woonsocket were aware that they are available for help and watching out for everyone’s well-being.

In conjunction with what many fire departments were doing across the state, the Woonsocket Fire Department decided to have fire trucks and the ambulance crew form a parade around the towns of Woonsocket and Forestburg, which are both in their coverage area. They asked kids in the area to make signs to hold or put up in their windows and turn porch lights on so they could make sure everyone was ok. It was a fun way for everyone to keep their distance but still acknowledge that there is help if someone needs it. Most kids made signs about whom or what they miss because of the seclusion from their everyday life that they are used to. The parade took place on Wednesday, March 25, which had rather chilly weather, but that didn’t stop quite a few households from showing their support and thanking the guys for taking care of the communities.

…See additional photos in this week’s issue of the Sanborn Weekly Journal!

Judy Brisbine took part in the bear hunt and the fire department’s parade all with one window display. Brisbine was a second-grade teacher in Wessington Springs for many years, so she can understand how important these things are for children during a time like this.

Many readers may have noticed that there are stuffed bears, and other stuffed animals, in the windows of a number of homes in Woonsocket. The idea came from a children’s book entitled “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury. Children are encouraged to “go on a bear hunt” throughout town and look for the bears, among other types of animals in people’s windows or doors. The kids were instructed to keep their social distancing by riding their bikes or riding in the car while their parents drove them around for the hunt. There have been more and more of these types of activities that have been “popping up” on social media to keep the kids, and their parents, from going completely stir crazy during these many days/weeks of homeschooling. 

The idea for Woonsocket to take part in this was brought up on Mrs. Rebecca Potrament’s Facebook page. Potrament is a special education teacher in the Woonsocket School District. Everyone and anyone is welcome to join in the fun by either putting a stuffed animal in their window or going on a hunt themselves.

Schools and teachers in Sanborn County are doing everything they can to help kids stay entertained and educated during this unprecedented experience this school year.